Shi Wang leaned back slightly in his ergonomic chair, as he addressed his secretary.
"So, you are saying that Li Hao is now actively investigating the matter of the convenience store? After two years of silence, no less", he found the situation more intriguing than alarming.
Secretary Liu, stood beside the control panel. He gave a firm nod, using a laser pointer to highlight a grainy photograph displayed on the wall-sized screen.
"Precisely, Mr. Shi. Look at this man. He was the one who was shot by Mr. Li that night, two years ago. Wang Yuxi."
Shi Wang scoffed lightly, a sound that held no warmth. "Ah, great. That's wonderfully rich." His face remained devoid of any overt emotion.
Liu clicked to the next slide, his professional demeanor darkening as he continued.
"He's also the individual whom Mr. Li blamed for leaking his company's confidential information—information that was supposed to ended up in your hands," Liu subtly implied the connection.
"He was shot inside Yu Han's convenience store. Mr. Li abducted Yu Han immediately after the shooting, yet now... observe their current relationship. They have become inexplicably close."
Shi Wang straightened slightly, resting his elbows on the desk, his hands forming a steeple to support his chin. His gaze was sharp, cutting through Liu's detailed reporting to the core mystery.
"I know Li Hao, Liu. He never shoots anyone without a profound reason. And if he does shoot someone, he usually doesn't give a damn about them afterward. Yet, here he is, resurrecting a cold case and cultivating this bizarre relationship with Wang Yuxi. What leverage does this man possess? Furthermore, he even involved Officer Zhang in this cleanup—that suggests official risk management, not a simple personal vendetta."
Shi Wang's focus shifted to Yu Han "And that Yu Han. How can he become so close with Li Hao, considering the stories we've heard about the torture and fear he endured in the beginning? It defies all logic."
Liu immediately pulled a heavy leather chair closer to the desk and sat beside Shi Wang, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Sir, is it not possible that Mr. Li is merely using Yu Han? Yu Han was the only one who was present at the scene that night two years ago. He is a primary witness, or perhaps a component of the original cover-up."
Shi Wang let out a soft chuckle at Liu's overly pragmatic suggestion. "Li Hao is utterly devoted to Yu Han, Liu. Head to toe. Haven't you seen the videos taken by our surveillance team? The way he looks at him is not the look of a man extracting information; it's the look of a man protecting his most valued asset."
Liu scratched his chin , confusion knitting his brow. "Then what could be the reason, Mr. Shi? Why is Li Hao investigating his own past actions so secretly, compromising the very stability he worked to achieve?"
Shi Wang sighed.
Then a sudden, piercing ringtone of Shi Wang's customized mobile phone violently cut through the tense ambience of the meeting room.
Shi Wang glanced at the screen, his eyebrows furrowing in genuine surprise. It was an unfamiliar number, it was "Gang Zi."
"Why is Li Hao's secretary calling me?" he muttered. He pressed the answer button.
"Yes... Gang Zi?"
On the other side of the line, Gang Zi's voice was strained and breathless.
"Mr. Shi... Mr. Shi, I need help! We are at the Hospital. Yu Han... he's in the operating room right now, they rushed him in. And Mr. Li, he... he just collapsed here in the waiting area, Mr. Shi. I have no idea what to do, everything is chaos! Please, you need to come; I can't handle Mr. Li in this state!"
Shi Wang snapped up from his chair, scattering the printed reports resting on his lap. His prior detachment was instantly replaced by sharp alarm.
"What?! What happened to Yu Han?"
"Uh... he was attacked, Mr. Shi. Someone hit him, and his head... his head was bleeding badly."
Shi Wang's heart skipped a beat, a cold dread seizing him. "Does Yang Zi know about Yu Han? Has he been contacted?"
Gang Zi stammered out a denial. "No. No one knows yet."
"Okay. Listen to me, Gang Zi. Stay right there with Li Hao. Do not let him be alone. Keep everyone away. I am on the way immediately."
He slammed the phone down and looked urgently at Liu, who was already rising from his chair, sensing the shift in gravity.
"Get the car ready, Liu. Now. We are leaving."